The Ugly Memorial Foundation Newsletter Vol V, Issue 5 July 2000

the memorial’s construction and shipping. The members of Marines Dedicate Memorial the UAMF board of directors were also introduced and Quantico, Virginia 8 July 2000 those who contributed to the Foundation warmly thanked for their unstinting generosity. As a beautiful Saturday morning warmed them in greeting, 150 former members of Marine Medium Tom Hewes was then introduced to deliver the principal Helicopter Squadron 362 and their families, members of the address of the morning. In a moving twelve minute speech, Bob Cramer, Mike Carley, and John Mooney families, and a he spoke lovingly of the thirty-three Angels we left behind dozen distinguished guests chatted quietly as the long in Vietnam, but never forgot. After slowly reading their awaited hour for the dedication of the Ugly Angel names to the tolling of a bell, he remembered them as we Memorial approached. all were back then, the war we fought in our UH 34s, and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood that was forged in Promptly at 1045, HMM-362 once again proudly rose to the furnace of combat. attention as the MCB Quantico color guard presented the colors to the strains of the Star Spangled Banner. LCDR He concluded his remarks by saying, “Today we Michael Uhall, the Basic School Chaplain, then offered a complete the journey begun forty years ago by fulfilling a beautifully somber invocation. pledge to honor our brothers by placing this memorial to them on a field which has seen so many generations of The UAMF Secretary, Rusty Sachs, warmly welcomed Marines march proudly by. A memorial which promises - everyone and recognized the visiting dignitaries who no, which guarantees - that so long as there is a United included: MGen & Mrs. Dennis Murphy, USMC (Ret); Mrs. States Marine Corps, their names and their shall be Leif Hendrickson; Col & Mrs. Zeke Cavaszos, Chief of remembered. As this beautiful memorial to their memory Staff; Col Ron Rook, former Chief of Staff; Col Archie eloquently attests, we the Ugly Angels of Marine Medium Clapp, USMC (Ret); Col J. P. Monroe, USMC (Ret), Helicopter Squadron-362, have ‘taken care of our own’ in Executive Director, Marine Corps Aviation Assn.; and Mr. the finest tradition of our beloved Corps. Our journey now & Mrs. Al Barbour, President, USMC/Vietnam Helicopter at end, we call their spirits to this place of honor and repose Assn. so they may rest knowing that we, their brothers, have kept

the faith”. One distinguished guest, LtCol Chris McMenomy, was given a particularly warm welcome. Chris is the current As tears were wiped away, Chaplain Uhall stepped back CO of the Ugly Angels – now HMH-362 , a CH 53D to the podium to consecrate the memorial with a specially squadron, the lineal descendent of HMM-362 – and had written and movingly delivered prayer. The ceremonial traveled all the way from Hawaii specifically to attend the detail then fired a crisp three-volley rifle salute and the dedication. bugler, and his distant echo, sounded the haunting strains of Taps. Our emotions were still not under control control Rusty then introduced the Chief of Staff, Col Cavaszos, when the MCB band broke into the Marine Corps Hymn – who was standing in for our host, BGen Leif Hendrickson, and the Ugly Angel Memorial became a part of our who had been called away at the eleventh hour to attend a squadron’s, and the Marine Corps’, proud history. meeting in Washington. After a brief period of milling around reminiscent of a Following Col Cavaszo’s welcoming remarks, Rusty Phu Bai muster, a group picture of all the Angels attending singled out the Angels most responsible for making the the dedication was taken for posterity. Everyone then idea of a permanent memorial a reality. First among equals repaired to The Clubs at Quantico (personal guests were was Bob Skinder whose inspirational idea for a permanent paid for by the person who invited them) for a two hour memorial started it all. K. D. Logue, Tim Wilson and Lew reception featuring carved Roast Beef, Ham, and Turkey Barnes were lauded for their original design on which the complemented by a selection of light hors d’ouevres and present memorial is based, with Lew meriting special copious quantities of liquid refreshment. mention for his critical role in supervising every detail of

The Angels who were unable to attend the dedication, be shown at the in San Diego. Because of the were not forgotten. A crew from MCB Quantico’s Combat anticipated demand, the UAMF plans to have copies made Visual Information Center videotaped the entire dedication of the master tape which will be available for purchase at in color, and is busily preparing a master tape which will cost sometime after the reunion.

Stuff You Need To Know

√ If you’re planning to attend the reunion dinner, I need your check in my sweaty palm no later than 15 Aug.

Registration Desk volunteers Lyman Phillips, Hal Coffman, Gil Sanders, Lew Barnes, Chuck Travis, Ken Logue, Tim Wilson, Ron Ice, Denny Van Liew, Cal Cormier, Mike Zacker (and anyone I lost when my computer went Tango Uniform) are requested to report to Mark Stanton in the Royal Palm Court registration area for watch assignments by 0900 Thursday or as soon as they have checked into the hotel and had their first beer.

√ The T & C requests that guests be appropriately attired for the occasion. For us Helo Assn types this means some form of casual outer clothing including shirts and footwear for all reunion events. Footwear is very big at the T & C (apparently it’s a California foot fetish thing), so be prepared.

From a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane."

Which Came First…

We get calls from time to time from guys who are understandably confused about what it is the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Assn does and where the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation fits into the picture. The answer is simple.

The Helo Assn, aka Pop A Smoke, is the umbrella organization for all the fifteen or twenty Marine helo units that served in Vietnam. They plan and organize the biennial reunions like Pensacola and San Diego; reunions which typically include a Thursday night happy hour and buffet, a Saturday night dinner and entertainment, and a Sunday morning brunch. You must pay dues to become a member of the Assn. Your dues entitle you to receive the Pop A Smoke newsletter and to attend reunions. To attend a reunion you have to first register and then pay for each function you elect to attend.

In contrast, the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation plans and organizes all Angel activities such as the painting of YL 42 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, the commissioning and dedication of the Ugly Angel Memorial, and various other projects. Although not part of its charter, volunteers from the UAMF also organize and coordinate Angel participation in Helo Assn reunions, including the now traditional Friday night reunion dinner. The UAMF has no dues. Apart from voluntary contributions, the only thing you pay for is your Friday night reunion dinner – and the resulting hangover.

In summary, you send money to the Association for membership, and to register and pay for the Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday reunion functions you attend. You send money to me if you want to eat Friday night.

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Washington National, a lone voice comes over the loudspeaker, "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!

Speaking of…

By now you should know that Reunion 2000 will be held from 0900 Thursday, 24 Aug to Sunday morning, 27 Aug 2000 at the Town & Country Resort Hotel in San Diego.

If you haven’t yet joined the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, Gomen! It’s now too late to sign up and attend.

Ready Room

The squadron Ready Room will be located in the Royal Palm Salon 3. RPS 3 is just off to the left of the Royal Palm Court registration area and immediately across from the Rose Garden (not the one the Marine Corps didn’t promise you). We

are required to register everyone who claims 362 as their primary squadron, and that’ll be a potful. If possible, we plan to set up our registration station in the Ready Room. When you register, please be prepared to cough up $2.00 to cover the prepaid $200.00 cost of the RPS. Sorry, but there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.

Al Barbour, our Helo Assn Prez informs me that, “Royal Palm can be decorated inside and out as you desire. No to walls - damage assessments out of squadron funds. One tasteful banner may be hung from each hotel room balcony”.

We invite you to bring pictures and memorabilia from Vietnam to display, but bear in mind that these are best taken back to your room in the evening for security. Whether or not we’ll have a slide, movie, & VCR capability depends.

Last Call to Dinner

We don’t care what you wear (as long as you have shoes on) just so you pay for dinner in advance. The reason: so yours truly won’t have to spend the entire reunion trying to collect money. If you plan to attend, and we hope you will, I absolutely must have your check no later than 15 August. The T & C requires a final head count a minimum of 48 hours in advance, i.e. a full day before the reunion even begins. Please make your check out to either Tom Hewes or the Ugly Angel Association for $30 per person (include the names you want on your place cards in the memo section) and mail it to:

Tom Hewes 384 Hartland Blvd. E. Hartland, CT 06027

The dinner will be held at our reunion hotel, the T & C, on Friday evening , 25 August. Cocktails will be served from 1730 to 1900 with dinner promptly at 1900. The cocktail hour will feature only drinks this year because the T & C’s hors ovaries are too expensive. The main course is still chicken but vegetarian substitutes are available upon request.

Another flight Attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

HMM–362 Flight Schedule for 25 August 2000

ODO: Capt Sachs OOD: Capt Cascio Maint Duty O: Lt Johns Duty NCO: Sgt Stanton Duty Corpsman: Doc Jones Extra Duty Detail: NCOIC Sgt. Linn. Extra Duty: Pfcs Wilson, Barnes, and Logue

Call Sign Aircraft Flight Leader

Clip Clop 62-1 YL 1 thru YL 12 Col Clapp Clip Clop 67-1 YL 25 thru YL 36 LtCol Cline Clip Clop 33 YL 42 and YL 37 Col Kapetan

Greg & Nancy Armstrong* Steve Atell Lew & Jean Barnes* Rick & SusanBartlett* Alan & Janet Bloomer* John & Grace Bowman* Bob & Joanne Bringham Al & Susan Cain* Clay & Judy Canfield Ben & Ailene Cascio* R J, Susan & Rachelle Caouette* Archie Clapp & Patricia* Dick Cline & Doris Murphy* Jerry Clark Hal Coffman Larry Collins* Roger Cook * Lyman & Lee Cokely* Morgan & Debra Combs* Cal & Wanda Cormier* Ed & Shirley Creamer Mac & Dee Crocker Norm Derylak & Jim Rosati* Ken & Dee Davis John & Linda Donnelly* Jerry & Eleanor Dooley* Gary Doss Bill & Carol Duffy John Fail George Federow Bob Feeney* Archie & Archie Fleming* Ron & Gerry Fix* Ron & Anna Gall* Bob Gauntner Pete Gligor* Butch Gorman & Caroline John & Suzanne Gonneville* Bill Green & Lady* Curtis Gray & Denise Orm & Sharon Hall* Ron Harkless Garret Hatcher & Lady Tom & Joanne Hewes* Dick Houghton* Dan Houglum* Ed Hunneyman Ron Ice* Phil, Kathy, & Julie Jackson* Ron Jogodka Ron Johnson Bobby & Lynda Johns * &Bill & Fern Rhodes Ralph & Candy Jones* Tom Kane Bill & Bea Kelly* Mike Kennett* Dave Kolkhorst* Jerry & Turmi Kottkamp* Ed & Ethel Langley D J & Fran Leighton Lin LaViano* Chuck & Linda Linn* Jack & Cindy Lodge* John Longdin K D & Raeanne Logue* Pete King Stan Manship Don Martin

Frank & Holly Matucheski* Bill & Carol McCluskey* Bill McNair Curt & Renette McRaney* Mush Melin & Lady Dave & Amelia Moore* Charles & Linda Morgan* Jay Morley Jim Mullen & Lady Romy & Linda Myszka Bob O’Neil Kent Petersen Jim & Fran Perryman* Lyman Phillips & Friend* Dave & Sandy Pirnie* Bill & Nancy Reese Hugh Rothweiler & Lady* E V & Ruby Rose* Rusty Sachs* Bob Scarbrough* Gil Sanders Rick & Shelley Sarmiento Doug & Jenny Snipes* Willie Sproule* & James & Diane Sproule* &Mark & Karen Richardson* Ron & Carla SorensenMcSouth & Patty* Walt Smith Joe Syslo & Jennifer Mark & Lorraine Stanton* Lou & Karen Stefan* & Bev and Bob Gundry* Ed & Pat Tatman* Al Thomas* Chuck Travis & Francine Tom & Anita Thurber* Denny & Carolyn Van Liew* Charlie Upshaw* Bill Walker Muddy & Ruth Waters Carl & Anne Wheeler Tim & Karen Wilson* Wimpy & Julia Wimmler* Charles Wood Carl, Adele, & Kay Yung* Mike Zacker Total: 112 83 Angels & guests. * indicates attending the reunion dinner.

If you sent me a check but don’t see your name on the dinner list, please contact me ASAP

Would you Believe

Darrell, Darrell, and their other brother, Darrell have charged me to tell you, and I quote, “You &%*)@#%_+!&$@ pilots had better show up in San Diego with your #&$%(*)%$ tail wheel locking pins around your gentlemanly [by act of %_+!&$@ Congress] %_+!&$@ necks or be prepared to suffer the %_+!&$@ consequences.

(Cleaned up by your shocked and horrified editor to save our Ugly Angel family members from gross embarrassment)

Part of a Flight Attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of us here at US Airways."

Sayonara

In the two years since its founding the UAMF has either sponsored or participated in the painting of the Naval Aviation Museum’s UH 34D in HMM-362 colors; the dedication of Gerald Hail’s YL 37 at Inola; patch, decal, and cruise book fund raising projects; supplying pilots and aircrew for Jim Moriarty’s YL 42; and the design, commissioning, and dedication of a beautiful memorial to those we left behind in Vietnam. Now that these projects have been successfully completed, it is time for the UAMF to undertake new challenges, challenges best initiated and followed through to completion under younger, more progressive leadership.

Having served as your leader since the UAMF was incorporated in 1998, it is now time for me to pass the lead to the younger generation. Accordingly, my resignation as President will become effective at midnight on 25 August 2000. Those of you who were junior officers and NCOs in Vietnam have earned the right to lead the Ugly Angels into the future. The leadership role is properly yours, deservedly won in the skies of Vietnam where you did most of the flying and nearly all of the dying.

Before passing the lead, I would like to express my sincere thanks to each of you for your friendship and support. As rich as our language is, it’s inadequate to express the depth of gratitude and pride I

feel at having been permitted to serve as your President. There is no body of men on the face of this earth with whom I would rather be associated. From our darkest days in Vietnam up to the present moment, you have never failed to rise to the challenge. Then as now, the Ugly Angels unfailingly exemplify the spirit of Semper Fidelis. It has been an honor to have served with you.

While I’m standing down from playing an active role in the operation of the UAMF and coordinating future reunions, I will continue to serve as the publisher of the Ugly Angel Newsletter for the foreseeable future.

New Slate

We are pleased to announce the unanimous election of Rusty Sachs as the next president of the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation. Rusty, who is currently serving as Secretary, was one of the three original founders of the UAMF. Filling the vacancy created by Tom’s departure will be Bobby J. Johns. Bobby will join Ben Cascio, Lew Barnes, Mark Stanton, and Chuck Linn on your Board of Directors.

Tower: “American 702 heavy, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on 124.7.” American 702: “Tower, American 702 heavy switching to Departure…by the way, as we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway.” Tower: “Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on 124.7…did you copy the report from American?” Continental 635: “Continental 635, cleared for takeoff…and yes, we copied American and we’ve already notified our caterers.” Airline Humor courtesy of Greg Lee & Toad Homer

Getting Short

Only 36 more days and a wake up before we meet in San Diego. Reunion attendees, and those reporting in for recruit training, may start checking in at 0900 Thursday, 23 August. Your check-in station will be located in either the Royal Palm Court area at the entrance of the convention center or in the Ready Room at Royal Palm Salon 3 just to the left of the court. We’ll have big signs for you junior troops so don’t worry about finding it.

The official newsletter of the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation Publisher: Tom Hewes 384 Hartland Blvd. E. Hartland, CT 06027 (860) 653-4436 e-mail: [email protected]